Every family is different. Some go all out for the holidays, some stick to a strict budget and other use a three gift rule in honor of the gifts the three wise men brought to baby Jesus. Our family doesn’t stick hard and fast to any specific rules and every year seems to go a little differently as our family grows. Typically we buy a large or “main” gift. Sometimes it goes to all of the kids if it’s something they’ll all play with. One year it was a play kitchen. One year it was a train table. This year we are thinking that the main gift will be for the whole family — a trip to Great Wolf Lodge!
For the smaller gifts I try to buy things each child needs but still likes, like princess or Toy Story pajamas, a new light up toothbrush in their stocking, or even their favorite snacks. My husband and I often agree not to buy each other gifts and make it more about the kids but we always fill each others stockings so we have something to open on Christmas morning.
Our kids get so many toys from family members that it gets a little crazy. I have to remind myself of this every year or I add to the chaos. It’s so fun to buy the kids things, it’s easy to go overboard. The truth is, they really don’t need a million toys and will be just as happy with the few that we give them. Keeping that in mind, I try to make my selections very carefully to get them the things they want most and that will actually get played with rather than sitting in the bottom of the toy box after the novelty wears off.
So far we’ve only done gifts from Santa and gifts from us. The kids don’t give each other gifts though that’s something I’d like to start doing soon thought it certainly complicates things. How does your family handle Christmas gift giving? I’d love to hear what works best for you!
I do a large gift from Santa to the family, like a board game or game system, price is not a concern. The gift just needs to be something that we will use as a family. I give practical needed gifts from myself and I give something fun and not so practical from Santa. Santa gives a game for the gaming system, a new truck or Squinkies set. I have a budget of $300 to get gifts for my two children, their cousin, three grandparents and 3 aunts. If I happen to see something practical and inexpensive for myself or my son’s father, I will pick it up.
Thanks for sharing! Those are good ideas — I really should set a budget.